Uconn

UConn senior makes long wait to play Wirth-while By Ed Daigneault Republican-American

Western Michigan's Jordan White, left, celebrates with teammate Anthony Parker after scoring a touchdown in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Connecticut, in East Hartford, Conn., on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Ryan Wirth waited and waited, playing mostly on UConn's special teams for a couple of years and then working into a small role on the defensive line rotation last year. The entire time, some simple fatherly advice rang through his head.

What a difference it has made.

"The words from my father (were) you want to hang up your cleats, good or bad, and have no regrets," the fifth-year senior defensive tackle said. "Then you can live with yourself. I've done everything I could, everything within my power, to be able to look back and say there's nothing I could have done better.

Wirth and his teammates take that approach into Waldo Stadium today to take on a dangerous Western Michigan team. Finally in a starting spot, Wirth is among the leaders who have turned UConn's rush defense into something to be admired.

Today things might have to change a bit. The Broncos (1-2) are a pass-happy bunch who don't put too much emphasis on running the ball. Wirth and his compatriots are going to have to find their way to Western Michigan quarterback Alex Carder and put some serious pressure on him.

UConn coach Paul Pasqualoni said Carder is one of the most accurate quarterbacks in the game. He can put the ball into tight spots and do it with velocity. Wirth is among those who has to make sure that Carder gets apprehensive.

Being the understudy to former stars Kendall Reyes and Twyon Martin, who moved into starting roles as redshirt freshmen shortly after Wirth arrived on campus, will help in that regard.

"Those guys taught me all about preparation," said Wirth, a New Jersey native who played a year at Cheshire Academy. "They worked hard, spent time in the film room. There's a lot of studying that goes on at this level. It's not just go out there and play football. I had a lot of years to watch them do all the studying and preparing, what worked, what didn't."

Everything Wirth has done this season has worked. Wirth is the third-leading tackler on a defense that is designed for the linemen to occupy blockers to allow the linebackers to make tackles. Linebacker Yawin Smallwood has 35 tackles, good for a tie for the top spot in the country, and Sio Moore has 17 but Wirth is right behind at 14.

Given Wirth's personality — he's become a media darling, a guy who is more than willing to talk — it's not a surprise that he put all his time waiting to play to good use, rather than stewing about not playing. Given the opportunity to not only play but also to lead, Wirth hasn't simply grabbed it. He's choked the life out of it.

"I would say he's elevated his game," Pasqualoni said. "He's a fifth-year senior who's now starting and has taken ownership of this thing. It's now his responsibility to be a leader, and he's done that. Ryan's done a great job."

He credits his time at Cheshire Academy with helping him land at UConn. He chose Cheshire Academy because his aunt, Sandy Wirth, was the interim headmaster at the time. Wirth needed to get his academics in order. More importantly, he needed to mature.

Without that year, Wirth doesn't know what would have happened to him.

"I did a lot of growing up," he said. "If I don't go there, I have no idea what my path would be. No clue. I'm happy it worked out the way it did."

It has paid dividends for the Huskies, too. Through three games, Wirth has arguably been UConn's most important defensive player. Smallwood said as much, crediting Wirth and the defensive line for allowing him to run free.

Today provides Wirth with another chance to continue a stellar final season.

"This is it," he said. "I'm going to cherish every moment I have, have as much fun as I can and as it lies, it lies. That's how it goes. This is what I love to do."

Follow Us

Post a reader comment

We encourage your feedback and dialog. Please be civil and respectful.If you're witty, to the point and quotable, your reader comments may also be included on the Around the Towns page of The Sunday Republican. Readers must be registered and logged in to post comments on the site. Registration is free. Click Here to register.
A Subscription is not required to post comments only a Registration.